Domestic violence : perpetrator programs in Western Australia

This symposium explores policy, organisational, practice, and research issues in the delivery of legally mandated programs for men who have acted violently in their intimate relationships. It will draw on the findings of a collaborative project between corrections and a number of non-government agencies contracted to provide services. The paper will provide an overview of some of the systemic and policy issues that impact upon on program delivery and evaluation issues, and the experiences of female partners of men attending programs.

Treatment readiness in violent offenders : the influence of cognitive factors on engagement in violence programs

Advances in offender rehabilitation theory have led to the development of a clear framework of the factors that need consideration for an offender to be ready for therapy and thus gain maximum benefits. Here, we examine in greater detail the role of cognition in readiness for rehabilitation in violent offenders. We assess how cognitive processes and distortions common in violent offenders may affect and hamper rehabilitation readiness. Methods for remediation of cognitive factors that diminish readiness, including motivational interviewing, are discussed. We conclude that cognitive factors are critical in the assessment of readiness in violent offenders and therapeutic efforts to enhance engagement.

Brief anger management programs with offenders : outcomes and predictors of change

Anger management interventions with offenders, particularly violent offenders, are a common form of rehabilitative activity. The rationale for addressing anger problems is clear-cut and there is good evidence that anger management can be effective with some client populations. Information relating to effectiveness with serious offenders, however, is sparse. An intervention study is reported in which offenders receiving anger management were compared with waiting list controls on a range of dependent measures. In general, the degree of pre-treatment/post-treatment change was small and experimental versus control differences were not statistically significant. The degree of improvement was found to be predictable from pre-treatment measures of anger and treatment readiness. Explanations of the low impact of anger management on violent offenders are discussed and recommendations made for improving outcomes.